Squadron Leader James G. Drew

James Gerald Drew, Squadron Leader, R.C.A.F. Service Number C5245

James G. Drew, was born in Egham, Surrey, England and emigrated to Canada as a 4 year old child, in 1906.

He lived in Ottawa, and was enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force, at the rank of Pilot Officer, in 1941, as a specialist in the transportation of personnel. His civilian job being in passenger traffic ticket sales with Canadian National Railway.

He worked first at RCAF Headquarters in Ottawa, then, in 1942, spent several months at Air Ministry offices in London England as troop movements liaison between the Royal Air Force and the RCAF, concerning the Commonwealth Air Training Plan, whereby Air Force personnel from British Commonwealth countries, traveled to, (and from) and received their flight training in Canada.

In 1943, at the rank of Squadron Leader, he began work under the title Ocean Conducting, through which he would be the Officer Commanding "Drafts" of Air Force personnel, traveling by ship, to and from England.

During 42 war-time crossings, for which he was awarded the Atlantic Star (minimum 360 days at sea), he escorted may thousands of Air Force personnel, both men and women, to England and back again, at wars' end. He also was in charge of many groups of War Brides and their babies. While we have no individual trip records, it is certain that very many of these ocean crossings began or ended at Pier 21.

He received his discharge in 1946 and returned to the C.N.R. until his retirement.